Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen: German Performance Crossovers in Three-Way Drag Race

Manufacturers are going to continue offering what most markets want, and that seems to range from the largest SUVs and pickup trucks all the way to tiny jacked-up hatchbacks that still tremble at the sight of a tall curb. The situation seems to be even more poignant in Europe, where tiny streets and small parking spaces lead to the kind of vehicles you see in this clip from carwow.

Well, to be fair, these are the performance versions of their respective models, which don't really make up the bulk of their sales. After all, if you want something that goes fast, you're better off being closer to the ground, so crossovers don't necessarily make a lot of sense. However, that never kept carmakers from throwing potent engines under a tiny crossover's hood, so as long as we have them, we might as well see what they're capable of.

Alright, so let's meet the contenders. Starting in alphabetical order we have the Audi SQ2, which has a two-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine (a common denominator for all three vehicles here) developing 300 hp (again, identical to the T-Roc's output and only 6 hp short of the BMW's), the BMW X2 M35i, and the Volkswagen T-Roc R.

It's worth pointing out that despite having the same power from a two-liter engine and both being part of the Volkswagen Group, the T-Roc R and the SQ2 do not actually share the same engine.

Right, now let's get to the other stats that matter in a drag race: weight and 0-62 mph (100 kph acceleration. Maintaining the same grid position, the SQ2 tilts the scale at 3,329 lbs (1,510 kg) and needs 4.8 seconds for the benchmark sprint; the X2 M35i is heavier at 3,715 lbs (1,685 kg) and also slower - 5.0 seconds; finally, the T-Roc R weighs 3,472 lbs (1,575 kg) and reaches 62 mph just as quickly as the Audi.

These three surely are closely matched on paper, let's see if it's also confirmed out on the track. Mat, over to you.